The Effect of Temperature Changes on in vitro Slow Wave Activity in the Equine Ileum

Aims: To evaluate the effect of temperature changes on in vitroslow wave activity of the equine ileum using intracellular recording techniques. 

Methods: A section of ileum was collected immediately following euthanasia from 9 normal horses euthanased for clinical reasons unrelated to the gastrointestinal tract. Intestinal tissue samples were cut into 1 mm thick sections, pinned out on a Sylgard plate and superfused with warmed, oxygenated Krebs solution. Intracellular recordings of membrane potential were made from smooth muscle cells using glass microelectrodes. All experiments were performed in the presence of a calcium channel blocker to ensure stable impalements. The temperature of the tissue bath was altered during the course of the experiment at a range of 27–41oC. All data were recorded and stored using a computer interfaced acquisition system. A software package was used to analyse the resting potentials, the amplitude, frequency and duration of slow waves. [...]